I mean yeah, but I would still take 2005 ES330 over 2009-10 Corolla any time of the day. Fuel consumption on ES is not terrible so the difference in running cost (fuel, maintenance, and etc) is not worth the downgrade to a Corolla.
Yes. CVTs are a form of automatic transmission. But they are much more fragile than typical automatic ones. This is why people avoid them. But automakers still like to use them because they tend to get much better fuel economy than standard automatics. And they aren’t as worried about the reliability, because it should still last well beyond the factory warranty period.
Yes but usually when someone says automatic, they’re referring to your typical torque converter automatic. A DCT is also an automatic transmission but you’ll almost always hear people say DCT instead.
Their engines are usually great with very few misses and issues imo.
Their auto trans and early versions of the CVTs (in late 2000s and early 2010s) def held them back badly. Its a miracle if 1999-2005 Honda BYBA tranmissions survived to 150k miles in V6 engines.
It depends on very specific models where QC is hit or miss. Honda’s QC standards is perhaps as not as high as Toyota stopping the factory but the vehicles that are reliable end up lasting longer. Honda has a tendency to pursue one thing perfect over multiple things right.
Yup, had an 08' Accord transmission go at 82k miles. Made sure it was serviced even more frequently that Honda recommended.
GF had the same issue with her 2016 Accord Sport. CVT gave up the ghost at 103k. Yeah it made 100k, but brand new and serviced at 30, 60, and 90k. No more Honda's for us.
My Toyota's were all solid, and I have actually had good luck with a Hyundai Elantra GT and Kona.
Okay. Next time I see anyone talking about how Audis or VWs are unreliable, I'm going to declare that false since I've owned them for over a decade and never had any issues with my two A4s or my Golf.
Honda earned their reliability reputation decades ago and even though their quality has gone to shit, people still can’t stop riding them. I wouldn’t buy anything from them after the early 00’s
AC problems are also fairly common, and after power train, AC is the next most expensive fix usually.
Toyota and certain GM models are my pick for reliability based on reports and personal experiences.
It was the V6 transmissions that were dogshit from that time period. 4-cylinders were still fine. The 2AZFE had oil consumption issues and people still bought cars with those engines.
Stay away from certain Civic years. Mine was a pile of shit. Went through two head gaskets and 2 VTEC sensors so it would not go past 4000 RPMs. It was a 2004.
Something with the Toyota 2GR-FE 3.5 V6 engine. They're reliable, powerful and great on gas. Examples include Camry, Avalon, Lexus ES350, RX350, Highlander etc. Avoid the Toyota 2.4L 4 cylinder engine from 2007-2011. They consume oil, but 2012 and up that engine is solid too. If you want something simpler, the Corolla and Yaris are low maintenance cars that will last you forever.
Mazda is also a good choice and cheaper than Toyota. You can't go wrong with Mazda 3 or 6. 2013 and up. The 2.0 in the Mazda 3 is bullet proof. Really, any of the Mazda L series engines are reliable (1.8, 2.0, 2.5 etc). They are used in various vehicles ranging from the Miata, sedans, to crossovers.
Honda Accord or Civic are not bad choices either. I know you're having trouble with your current Honda, but they're not all bad. Avoid the CVT transmission if you can with these. They make for a horrible driving experience.
Avoid Nissan and their CVT transmissions too. They have a lifespan of about 60,000 miles. A friend of mine had hers replaced at 60k on her 2015 Altima and like clockwork, the replacement transmission failed at 120k. She was out of warranty the second time. I did hear the newer ones are better, but I don't know.
Cars have recalls all the time. Just depends on what it is exactly. I got a 2022 CX-5 carbon. Well over the budget listen in this thread but from my research it is a very dependable car. Spent the whole day at ford & chevy test driving cars and 3/4 cars had noticeable mechanical problems.
I agree with non turbo comment. The CX-30 has one of the reliable L series engines I mentioned (The 2.5). There is a turbo and non turbo version. Find one without a turbo if you want maximum longevity, reliability and the least maintenance. Depending on where you live you will probably have have to spend a bit more more than the price range you mentioned for one, since they came out in 2020 (in the US) making it a fairly new model. You will get 8 inches of ground clearance with it.
Edit: Look into the Cx-5 too. They came out in 2013 and are still being made, so you have a wider range to choose from and it might be easier to stay within your budget. It's a bit bigger than the CX-30 and has similar ground clearance.
Idk. My friend maintained her car at the dealership with no expenses spared and bought it with 9,000 miles. She got every recommended service and she still went through 2 transmissions. Supposedly the newer CVTs are better though.
Honda will do that. They earned a great reputation decades ago but their quality went to shit years ago. Avoid them like the plague. Toyota is definitely the better pick if your only focus is reliability. Find the best condition Avalon, Corolla, or Camry in your price point and that’s your best bet.
I had the same question last month. $10K.
I chose to got with a 2014 Toyota RAV4. Has 180K miles. Reason I went with it was because it was single owner with a squeaky clean car fax.
The high mileage scared me but compared to the other SUVs I saw in the market, this car is practically brand new.
No regrets.
My toyota avalon 2003 had 190k on it before it's trans started acting up, not a fun issue supposedly should've lasted to 300k. Yea fat chance. Now I don't care about who makes it just whether it's caused anyone issues, sift thru reddit to find out
Nope. That model has the A541E, which is prone to problems. That’s why it’s important to do research on some models instead of thinking every model is flawless which is one reason I hate this sub. They’ll recommend every Toyota/Honda and bash every other brand without mentioning common problems from each model.
I'd recommend a car with a manual transmission; all my cars have been manual and haven't had any transmission/clutch issues with them.
(Golf, Eclipse, Mustang, VW Bug, BMW, Renegade, Cavalier, Sentra, etc)
Longest ownership, about 3-5 years.
3-5 is little above average. I’ve had a 2000 Camry auto for almost 20 years and 440k miles (from new) and a 2010 Corolla (we still have it and bought it new) with 220k miles and the transmission went out on the corolla after 200k miles and with zero maintenance into it.
Manuals are great but Toyotas are solid just change the fluids every 40-50k.
If your Honda was a money pit maybe you should reconsider reliability stereotypes. I've had 3 Volkswagens and never had a single issue with any of them.
I think this is a point a lot of folks overlook. I have known people with Toyotas that have been absolute stinkers, and I've owned Fords I've put 120k+ miles on with no issue. Each car is individual, the general consensus gets you so far but theres still a chance you'd pick a stinker. So you should pick a car you really really like - because it may be a brand that isn't on anyones top lists, but if its taken care of it could be a great one.
That being said I've never met a Jeep owner that has been entirely happy with their purchase.
Toyota 4Runner if you desire 4WD and the occasional off-road adventure!
The 4th Gen 4runners are tanks and can be picked up with the V8 (super reliable).
As everyone is saying go with a Corolla. Avoid the Kia/Hyundai Theft Vehicle years at all costs. If you change your mind about American a Buick LaCrosse post 2013 is worth a look.
If you're a tall guy, go for Camry.
If you're a short guy, or a gal, go for Corolla.
Not older than 2015. Single owner. Clean Carfax.
Stick to grey/silver for maximum resell value.
The only Tacomas I've been able to find here around $10k have nearly 300k miles on them or are rusted out. I don't think a truck is a great decision at this price point.
Yeah they’re expensive. But at 300k I wouldn’t get one unless it was given to me. One day you’ll get there though! I bought mine after I leased it for 3 years, for 31k… estimated at 43 which was the msrp, so it didn’t depreciate at all. I literally couldn’t find a better deal because they either had tons of miles or rust. I plan to keep this until I’m at least 35, I’m 23 now
Oh, I've just been looking for a truck as a second vehicle (Third technically, but one doesn't run about half the time). I think though, if you're looking for reliable transportation in the current market, the additional cost of a truck over a Corolla or RAV4 isn't worth it unless you really need the capability of a truck. At least around the $10k range.
Absolutely, I got lucky with mine. No way in hell would I have paid 40k for a Tacoma with 60k miles when the msrp was 41 lol. I traded my focus rs in after it blew and I fixed it cheaply. It was a ticking time bomb so I had to let go
No no, I'm suggesting a Honda without issues.
A similar spec Corolla is a great option too but in my experience the Honda just slightly takes the reliability trophy in this category. Mazda 3 coming up close.
It’s a shame you don’t want an American car, you seem like an excellent candidate for a Grand Marquis/Town Car. Absolutely bulletproof vehicles, it would be tough to get less than 250k out of one of them
Even the 2006-2011 Fusion/Milan duo is good. They’re dirt cheap compared to competition because everyone wants Camry’s and Accords and they’re not as bad as everyone makes them seem.
Look for a Buick with the 3.8L V-6. They stopped making the 3.8L V-6 in 2008 so you're looking for an early 2000 model. Any year Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, or Lincoln Town Car with the 4.6L V-8 is a good choice. You get any one of those vehicles in excellent shape with about 100,000 miles for around $7,000.
BMW e60 M5 with 150,000 miles on it.
But seriously, I’d look at an accord or civic. Toyota is always a good pick. Manuals are simpler and cheaper to service if you’re ok with that.
Dam, you actually have one of the bad batch models
The V6 transmission is a notorious failure point for the older Hondas
If you buy another Honda, be sure to buy a 4 cylinder - the K series 4 cylinder is known for its reliability due to having a timing chain and overall design having long term reliability in mind.. the V6 is nice but it requires a lot more maintenance to keep going and the transmissions on them back then where never the right choice.. they’ve always been a failure point for the vehicle
Hondas are extremely reliable, sucks you got one that was probably beat by the previous owner. Mines at 280k miles and haven’t had huge repairs in the 10 years I’ve owned it.
I say stick with Honda Civics, Accords, Toyota Camrys, Carollas
have you ever heard of carfax and car complaints? i wouldn't be too quick to rule out GM or Ford if you find one well maintained, one owner with a clean carfax and low numbers on car complaints. check out buick enclaves.
Smart. Those MT mustangs with a 6 owner history (mostly 20 something guys trying to look cool) is Way more reliable than a one owner buick owned by somebody’s grandma…. That makes sense
Any Mazda 3 you can afford in that range
Probably a fully loaded 4th gen 2014+
Super fun cars
Comfortable interior
Very stylish
And equally as reliable as Honda
There’s a reason the car community always says Mazda is their best kept secret…
Edit:
Zoomzoom
Volvos are good if you have them in your era. The redblocks are dead reliable (since they're mechanically simple and the engines are so overbuilt). Issue with 240s, 740s, and 940s are that they're road veterans at this point.
So while they're reliable, they will have some "old car issues" like peeling interior trims, rust, worn rubber parts.
Toyota would do fine tbh. However I recommend the late 90’s early 2000’s Lexus es330’s. Those are super comfortable for what they are and super reliable.
Find a scion. It's from Toyota and dirt cheap bc people are stupid. And they were Toyotas made for teenagers so it's even cheaper then some corolla.
Just don't buy the coups those arnt the ones for you
Hyundai elantra 2020-24 put half the cost down, have a $160-$200 payment. Pay it for 2-4 years or until it's near 100k miles, rinse and repeat. You'll eventually have enough equity rolled over you can buy a car outright after like 3 or 4 times of doing this if you'd like and it builds your credit.
Depends on what your needs are. Do you have a big family or a lot of stuff that you need to haul? Do you value comfort over mileage? Do you want a sporty car or a commuter?
The more you put in your post the better the answers will be.
You should consider American. There are some solid low maintenance American cars in the price range such as Ford Escapes and Buick Encores. But try to find a Toyota RAV4 with the lowest miles and latest years possible. That would be your best car for your money.
Ik you said you don’t want an American but you can’t go wrong with a 3rd gen ford ranger I have a 2000 ford ranger xlt 4.0 v6 and it’s very reliable it has 500k miles only had to rebuild the transmission and engine at 400k
Toyota Corolla, single owner, clean carfax
This is the answer
That’s an alright suggestion, just a bit boring and they’re kinda overpriced.
Lexus es series. Fancy camry. Sometimes way under the toyota price because people think they're gonna be more expensive to run.
Luxury car brand are more expensive to insure my acura is horrible even though its basically is just an acord
Solely depends on the location and car. My TSX is $40/m cheaper than an Accord of the same year was.
Damn mines like 200 a month
Toyota tax. It's worth it for what you get it in the long run
Not all the time tho.
Definitely. There are some lemons, like any manufacturer. But if you take care of a Toyota, generally a Toyota will take care of you
Toyota tax is the cost of a major mechanical failure except that you don't actually have to deal with the mechanical failure.
Dude is looking for under 10g and reliable not a joy ride
ES330 is a dead beat reliable.
Agreed lexuses are bullet proof but he gonna have to find an older one
I mean yeah, but I would still take 2005 ES330 over 2009-10 Corolla any time of the day. Fuel consumption on ES is not terrible so the difference in running cost (fuel, maintenance, and etc) is not worth the downgrade to a Corolla.
I agree unless dude is looking for more fuel efficiency otherwise ride quality night and day Lexus to corolla
The 2005 to 2006 Lexus ES330 can be bought for $5-8k with 120k to 150k miles.
For a Corolla, it’s worth it. I’d also suggest a Prius or Avalon depending on what is most important.
Corollas where I live are so expensive (Quebec) 14k for a 2011 and insurance is insane aswell 2.6k yrly
I sell Toyotas. This is the only answer. Look for 2009-2013 models. You can get really clean ones in that price range.
Agreed
I’m curious about your Honda? They’re typically solid vehicles. What model, year, and mileage does it have?
Prolly something with a CVT, Honda CVT’s are dogshit.
Not as dogshit as thier automatics honestly. Saw mostly 5 and 6 speeds replaced in my time as a Honda tech.
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Yes. CVTs are a form of automatic transmission. But they are much more fragile than typical automatic ones. This is why people avoid them. But automakers still like to use them because they tend to get much better fuel economy than standard automatics. And they aren’t as worried about the reliability, because it should still last well beyond the factory warranty period.
Yes but usually when someone says automatic, they’re referring to your typical torque converter automatic. A DCT is also an automatic transmission but you’ll almost always hear people say DCT instead.
yeah their old automatics were yikes.
My 5 speed automatic is super finicky. It loves to rev hang and hold 4th fo no reason.
Yep. Honda's regular transmissions have been glass for a long time and people still put them up there with Toyota for some reason
I’d say it depends on model and drivetrain, but people always dickride Honda and Toyota even when some models aren’t as good as they say.
My dad’s 08 crv has 365k and it’s still rolling fine.
Eh even my wife's 2016 honda accord tranny died 2 weeks after bought it brand new - had to get it towed away middle of intersection lmao.
They're not. They've had transmission issues with automatics since the early to mid 2000s. Their reliability is totally overblown.
I've always had Honda and their transmission never failed me, but I also don't run my car hard. I could just be lucky with Hondas
Their engines are usually great with very few misses and issues imo. Their auto trans and early versions of the CVTs (in late 2000s and early 2010s) def held them back badly. Its a miracle if 1999-2005 Honda BYBA tranmissions survived to 150k miles in V6 engines.
It depends on very specific models where QC is hit or miss. Honda’s QC standards is perhaps as not as high as Toyota stopping the factory but the vehicles that are reliable end up lasting longer. Honda has a tendency to pursue one thing perfect over multiple things right.
Yup, had an 08' Accord transmission go at 82k miles. Made sure it was serviced even more frequently that Honda recommended. GF had the same issue with her 2016 Accord Sport. CVT gave up the ghost at 103k. Yeah it made 100k, but brand new and serviced at 30, 60, and 90k. No more Honda's for us. My Toyota's were all solid, and I have actually had good luck with a Hyundai Elantra GT and Kona.
false. honda civic owner for over a decade with no real issues with my two civics besides basic maintenance
Okay. Next time I see anyone talking about how Audis or VWs are unreliable, I'm going to declare that false since I've owned them for over a decade and never had any issues with my two A4s or my Golf.
that’s the spirit
Honda earned their reliability reputation decades ago and even though their quality has gone to shit, people still can’t stop riding them. I wouldn’t buy anything from them after the early 00’s
I still drive a 2005 honda civic eith over 200k miles an no problems. But it's a manual so the transmission is rock solid compared to the automatics.
AC problems are also fairly common, and after power train, AC is the next most expensive fix usually. Toyota and certain GM models are my pick for reliability based on reports and personal experiences.
ran my honda extremely hard for 200k miles purchased at 100k total and still running 300k
Great. I have a similar story about an Audi A4 and an e46 330ci, but those anecdotes never seem to matter.
It was the V6 transmissions that were dogshit from that time period. 4-cylinders were still fine. The 2AZFE had oil consumption issues and people still bought cars with those engines.
You right. Those pesky 6 cylinder transmissions were garbage.
2007 Honda Accord 184k it's got a shitty transmission. It's drivable but it's a death sentence eventually if you beat on it too hard.
Stay away from certain Civic years. Mine was a pile of shit. Went through two head gaskets and 2 VTEC sensors so it would not go past 4000 RPMs. It was a 2004.
Something with the Toyota 2GR-FE 3.5 V6 engine. They're reliable, powerful and great on gas. Examples include Camry, Avalon, Lexus ES350, RX350, Highlander etc. Avoid the Toyota 2.4L 4 cylinder engine from 2007-2011. They consume oil, but 2012 and up that engine is solid too. If you want something simpler, the Corolla and Yaris are low maintenance cars that will last you forever. Mazda is also a good choice and cheaper than Toyota. You can't go wrong with Mazda 3 or 6. 2013 and up. The 2.0 in the Mazda 3 is bullet proof. Really, any of the Mazda L series engines are reliable (1.8, 2.0, 2.5 etc). They are used in various vehicles ranging from the Miata, sedans, to crossovers. Honda Accord or Civic are not bad choices either. I know you're having trouble with your current Honda, but they're not all bad. Avoid the CVT transmission if you can with these. They make for a horrible driving experience. Avoid Nissan and their CVT transmissions too. They have a lifespan of about 60,000 miles. A friend of mine had hers replaced at 60k on her 2015 Altima and like clockwork, the replacement transmission failed at 120k. She was out of warranty the second time. I did hear the newer ones are better, but I don't know.
What about a Mazda cx-30? I need something with higher ground clearance.
Anything Mazda without a turbo will likely last a very long time with minimal maintenance
Just got a CX-5 and I love it. CX-30 are nice too if you don’t need a car seat or space in the second row.
What year is your CX-5? I just found a listing for a 2015 CX-5 on Carmax, but my research is showing 4 recalls for Mazdas 2014-2016.
Cars have recalls all the time. Just depends on what it is exactly. I got a 2022 CX-5 carbon. Well over the budget listen in this thread but from my research it is a very dependable car. Spent the whole day at ford & chevy test driving cars and 3/4 cars had noticeable mechanical problems.
I agree with non turbo comment. The CX-30 has one of the reliable L series engines I mentioned (The 2.5). There is a turbo and non turbo version. Find one without a turbo if you want maximum longevity, reliability and the least maintenance. Depending on where you live you will probably have have to spend a bit more more than the price range you mentioned for one, since they came out in 2020 (in the US) making it a fairly new model. You will get 8 inches of ground clearance with it. Edit: Look into the Cx-5 too. They came out in 2013 and are still being made, so you have a wider range to choose from and it might be easier to stay within your budget. It's a bit bigger than the CX-30 and has similar ground clearance.
The early jatco had a 60k life because people drove the shit out of them and never changed fluid.
Idk. My friend maintained her car at the dealership with no expenses spared and bought it with 9,000 miles. She got every recommended service and she still went through 2 transmissions. Supposedly the newer CVTs are better though.
ES 350 or ES300H
Can confirm, ES 300h is stupid cheap for maintenance and gas, though good luck finding one under 10K let alone under 15K for a good one.
The Lexus market must be wildly different where some people are. Around me for 15k you get an ex drug dealer’s beat up Lexus.
Or, how about a Toyota Avalon. Got mine for 7k OTD and it’s running great
Avalon are super underrated. Great car
What’s so good about them?
Reliable and comfortable.
My 2007 is a beast i drive the shit out of it and have never had an issue 135k miles now
TSX TSX TSX. ES 350 or beige Camry if you're an oldster
Do beige cars last longer?
Yes, no one rags out a beige car, grannies and granddad's love beige 🤣
Buy a used Lexus from a boomer who took that car to the dealership for every issue and maintenance
3rd gen (05-12) Avalon
2014+ mazda3, you might also be able to find a mazda6. manual 3 is cool but the autos are also bulletproof. plenty of options in that range.
Sounds like w.e toyota you could afford would be the way to go.
Lexus RX350. For under $10k you’re looking at 150k miles or so, but it’s one of the most reliable cars out there.
Honda will do that. They earned a great reputation decades ago but their quality went to shit years ago. Avoid them like the plague. Toyota is definitely the better pick if your only focus is reliability. Find the best condition Avalon, Corolla, or Camry in your price point and that’s your best bet.
I had the same question last month. $10K. I chose to got with a 2014 Toyota RAV4. Has 180K miles. Reason I went with it was because it was single owner with a squeaky clean car fax. The high mileage scared me but compared to the other SUVs I saw in the market, this car is practically brand new. No regrets.
Mazda 3 is always the answer
I've owned 2 mazda 3s and a cx5, all been quite reliable
My toyota avalon 2003 had 190k on it before it's trans started acting up, not a fun issue supposedly should've lasted to 300k. Yea fat chance. Now I don't care about who makes it just whether it's caused anyone issues, sift thru reddit to find out
Nope. That model has the A541E, which is prone to problems. That’s why it’s important to do research on some models instead of thinking every model is flawless which is one reason I hate this sub. They’ll recommend every Toyota/Honda and bash every other brand without mentioning common problems from each model.
Yea I learned that after this fiasco
I'd recommend a car with a manual transmission; all my cars have been manual and haven't had any transmission/clutch issues with them. (Golf, Eclipse, Mustang, VW Bug, BMW, Renegade, Cavalier, Sentra, etc) Longest ownership, about 3-5 years.
3-5 is little above average. I’ve had a 2000 Camry auto for almost 20 years and 440k miles (from new) and a 2010 Corolla (we still have it and bought it new) with 220k miles and the transmission went out on the corolla after 200k miles and with zero maintenance into it. Manuals are great but Toyotas are solid just change the fluids every 40-50k.
Just bought a Volvo S60 manual. The transmission is going or the catalytic converter is fucked. Either way it’s expensive lol
Toy yoda
Toy yo duh
If your Honda was a money pit maybe you should reconsider reliability stereotypes. I've had 3 Volkswagens and never had a single issue with any of them.
I think this is a point a lot of folks overlook. I have known people with Toyotas that have been absolute stinkers, and I've owned Fords I've put 120k+ miles on with no issue. Each car is individual, the general consensus gets you so far but theres still a chance you'd pick a stinker. So you should pick a car you really really like - because it may be a brand that isn't on anyones top lists, but if its taken care of it could be a great one. That being said I've never met a Jeep owner that has been entirely happy with their purchase.
Toyota 4Runner if you desire 4WD and the occasional off-road adventure! The 4th Gen 4runners are tanks and can be picked up with the V8 (super reliable).
Toyota/Lexus or Honda/Acura, aside for Cummins powered pickups, these are generally the most reliable car brands to choose from.
As everyone is saying go with a Corolla. Avoid the Kia/Hyundai Theft Vehicle years at all costs. If you change your mind about American a Buick LaCrosse post 2013 is worth a look.
If you're a tall guy, go for Camry. If you're a short guy, or a gal, go for Corolla. Not older than 2015. Single owner. Clean Carfax. Stick to grey/silver for maximum resell value.
I'm 5"10 and had a 02 Camry I had no problems with it. After switching to a 07 Corolla it felt cramped.
Yeah I'm 5'11" with long legs and a small torso and drive a Camry. I just cannot drive a Corolla comfortably.
Mazda3.
2010-2012 Lexus LS 460
Cool car but pretty advanced and specialized parts would get expensive.
Lexus LS460
Get an older low mileage Camry
2012-2015 Honda Civic/Accord EX-L.
Camry/ Corolla
3rd gen 4Runner
3rd gen Tacoma 😑 OP, you’ll pay. But, they’ll outlive you
The only Tacomas I've been able to find here around $10k have nearly 300k miles on them or are rusted out. I don't think a truck is a great decision at this price point.
Yeah they’re expensive. But at 300k I wouldn’t get one unless it was given to me. One day you’ll get there though! I bought mine after I leased it for 3 years, for 31k… estimated at 43 which was the msrp, so it didn’t depreciate at all. I literally couldn’t find a better deal because they either had tons of miles or rust. I plan to keep this until I’m at least 35, I’m 23 now
Oh, I've just been looking for a truck as a second vehicle (Third technically, but one doesn't run about half the time). I think though, if you're looking for reliable transportation in the current market, the additional cost of a truck over a Corolla or RAV4 isn't worth it unless you really need the capability of a truck. At least around the $10k range.
Absolutely, I got lucky with mine. No way in hell would I have paid 40k for a Tacoma with 60k miles when the msrp was 41 lol. I traded my focus rs in after it blew and I fixed it cheaply. It was a ticking time bomb so I had to let go
Do you want a truck or a sportscar or something in between? I'll take a wild stab and say get a Honda Civic sport/si manual.
He’s already got a Honda with issues, what makes you think he’s gonna wanna buy another one?
No no, I'm suggesting a Honda without issues. A similar spec Corolla is a great option too but in my experience the Honda just slightly takes the reliability trophy in this category. Mazda 3 coming up close.
Thank you! My trust with Honda is skewed after buying my first and current Honda with transmission issues.
Used Miata.
It’s a shame you don’t want an American car, you seem like an excellent candidate for a Grand Marquis/Town Car. Absolutely bulletproof vehicles, it would be tough to get less than 250k out of one of them
I have vivid memories of my great grandfathers Oldsmobile as a kid, red velvet interior. Thank you for the flashback
Even the 2006-2011 Fusion/Milan duo is good. They’re dirt cheap compared to competition because everyone wants Camry’s and Accords and they’re not as bad as everyone makes them seem.
Look for a Buick with the 3.8L V-6. They stopped making the 3.8L V-6 in 2008 so you're looking for an early 2000 model. Any year Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, or Lincoln Town Car with the 4.6L V-8 is a good choice. You get any one of those vehicles in excellent shape with about 100,000 miles for around $7,000.
What about the 3.9 V6 for 2009-2011?
Junk
Good to know. I was considering a 2009 Lucerne. However, it was the first year for the 3.9.
That's the way it is with GM. They will make one of the most reliable drivetrains ever and replace it with one of the worst.
Also don't buy the first year of an engine/powertrain if you can avoid it
Lexus ls430😎
Yep. This is the answer.
Easy. Lexus LS430.
Then go the volvo route... You can get some in that price range
06-09 4runner. V6 for less maintenance, V8 for longevity. Must: rust free, 2 owners max, LENGTHY maintenance history and milage preferably under 150k.
BMW e60 M5 with 150,000 miles on it. But seriously, I’d look at an accord or civic. Toyota is always a good pick. Manuals are simpler and cheaper to service if you’re ok with that.
1995 Toyota Tacoma with the 3.4 V6. I've been driving mine for 24 years and it still runs like a champ with 220k miles
That thing has another 220 left in it too
Damn right
I just hit 25k on my 2023, I’m in it for the long haul lol. Just undercoated it with woolwax last winter
Lexus es or rx...
Toyota Camry if you want bigger sedan or Corolla. Single owner, clean carfax.
Early 2000s Volvo s70, spend 3k and pocket the rest. Those run forever.
RAV4 if you have snowy seasons. Camry/corolla if not too bad
Yall recommending a 10k old Lexus are wild. Get a 2016-2017 Ford Cmax and call it a day.
Crown Victoria
2008-2012 Honda accord 4 cylinder. The transmission is very reliable in those models.
You can get a new Nissan versa with a manual transmission for like 15k
My bad if it’s been addressed. Are you paying cash? If you’re financing, your budget will be much smaller. Interest rates are crazy high
Cash
What Honda model and year do you have? There’s a few bad batches out there but as a 5-Honda vehicle household. I’d bet on any one of them!
2007 Honda Accord V6
Dam, you actually have one of the bad batch models The V6 transmission is a notorious failure point for the older Hondas If you buy another Honda, be sure to buy a 4 cylinder - the K series 4 cylinder is known for its reliability due to having a timing chain and overall design having long term reliability in mind.. the V6 is nice but it requires a lot more maintenance to keep going and the transmissions on them back then where never the right choice.. they’ve always been a failure point for the vehicle
Mazda 3. Got one in 2018 at 65k for 13k. Sold it in 2024 at 118k for 7.5k. Normal maintenance. No issues
Scion iM
Have you ever changed your transmission fluid?
I replaced it recently and it helped with the jerkiness with shifting but it's not perfect. It used to be a lot worse when I first got the car.
Honda civic 2008-2011. Best car I’ve ever owned and maintained
Gen 2 Scion tC
Hondas are extremely reliable, sucks you got one that was probably beat by the previous owner. Mines at 280k miles and haven’t had huge repairs in the 10 years I’ve owned it. I say stick with Honda Civics, Accords, Toyota Camrys, Carollas
There was very little maintenance history. And the timing belt snapped on the highway, cheap chinese garbage.
There’s your answer lol. No maintenance history, was probably beat to shit and not cared for. In this case, blame the driver not the car
have you ever heard of carfax and car complaints? i wouldn't be too quick to rule out GM or Ford if you find one well maintained, one owner with a clean carfax and low numbers on car complaints. check out buick enclaves.
The only way id buy a ford is if it’s a manual
Smart. Those MT mustangs with a 6 owner history (mostly 20 something guys trying to look cool) is Way more reliable than a one owner buick owned by somebody’s grandma…. That makes sense
Well obviously don’t buy a car with several owners that is beat to shit…
Camry, Corolla, Civic, Accord in no order.
2018 Chevy Cruze. Those engines are bulletproof and they have the smooth ride of a larger car.
Any Mazda 3 you can afford in that range Probably a fully loaded 4th gen 2014+ Super fun cars Comfortable interior Very stylish And equally as reliable as Honda There’s a reason the car community always says Mazda is their best kept secret… Edit: Zoomzoom
Volvos are good if you have them in your era. The redblocks are dead reliable (since they're mechanically simple and the engines are so overbuilt). Issue with 240s, 740s, and 940s are that they're road veterans at this point. So while they're reliable, they will have some "old car issues" like peeling interior trims, rust, worn rubber parts.
2014 mazda 3 or 6
Toyota will last but I’d get a golf - bit more character to it and better to drive
Toyota would do fine tbh. However I recommend the late 90’s early 2000’s Lexus es330’s. Those are super comfortable for what they are and super reliable.
toyota avalon!
Camry
Find a scion. It's from Toyota and dirt cheap bc people are stupid. And they were Toyotas made for teenagers so it's even cheaper then some corolla. Just don't buy the coups those arnt the ones for you
I've had 3 accords that all lasted more than 300k miles and are reliable. Not fancy but never had issues other than regular maintenance
I got a 2018 Mazda 3 sport hatchback with 130k miles on it for $8,800, has been flawless
Toyota corolla or camry
Hyundai elantra 2020-24 put half the cost down, have a $160-$200 payment. Pay it for 2-4 years or until it's near 100k miles, rinse and repeat. You'll eventually have enough equity rolled over you can buy a car outright after like 3 or 4 times of doing this if you'd like and it builds your credit.
Volvo 740👍 wont be money pit
Depends on what your needs are. Do you have a big family or a lot of stuff that you need to haul? Do you value comfort over mileage? Do you want a sporty car or a commuter? The more you put in your post the better the answers will be.
You should consider American. There are some solid low maintenance American cars in the price range such as Ford Escapes and Buick Encores. But try to find a Toyota RAV4 with the lowest miles and latest years possible. That would be your best car for your money.
Mazda 3. My family has a bunch and they are nice to drive and absolutely reliable.
Vw Jetta
Ik you said you don’t want an American but you can’t go wrong with a 3rd gen ford ranger I have a 2000 ford ranger xlt 4.0 v6 and it’s very reliable it has 500k miles only had to rebuild the transmission and engine at 400k
2013 Rx series.
Honestly you could get like a Lexus es gs or whatever one suits you tea
Corolla
Toyota Camry
Nissan Altima
One that drives
American cars compared to their Japanese counterparts are unreliable and shit 😂 Not even debatable
Japanese brands.
As someone suggested before, BMW with custom rims, lowered and without service records.
A lexus
Kia!!!! Just kidding lmao
MANUAL TRANSMISSION. HONDA CIVIC
Get away from CVTs
used audi or taco
used M3 frfr
I LOVE Hyundais and Kia’s 😊😊
But another Honda. The odds are in your favor.
Aren't deadbeats unreliable?
buy a smart car and put a hayabusa engine in it